In the early hours of July 21, 2024, Russia launched a significant attack on Ukraine, employing a diverse array of weapons including three ballistic missiles ‘Iskander-M’, two guided air-to-air missiles X-59/69, and 39 ‘Shahed’ attack drones. The assault targeted multiple regions across Ukraine, marking the fifth drone attack on Kyiv in just two weeks.Ukrainian air defense forces demonstrated remarkable efficiency, successfully intercepting 35 of the 39 ‘Shahed’ drones. General-Lieutenant Nikolai Oleschuk, commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, reported that the guided air-to-air missiles failed to reach their targets due to active countermeasures. The air defense systems were engaged in over 10 regions, including Sumy, Poltava, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, Dnipro, Donetsk, Mykolaiv, Odessa, and Cherkasy.Despite the intensity of the attack, Serhiy Popko, head of Kyiv’s military administration, confirmed that all incoming air weapons targeting Kyiv were destroyed on the outskirts of the city, resulting in no casualties or significant damage. However, the assault did impact critical infrastructure in the Sumy region, though specific details remain undisclosed.In a parallel development, Russian forces reported shooting down eight Ukrainian drones over the Belgorod region and the Black Sea. The ongoing exchange of drone attacks underscores the escalating tensions and the increasing role of unmanned aerial vehicles in the conflict.The persistent attacks on Kyiv suggest that Russian forces are actively probing for weaknesses in Ukraine’s air defenses and exploring new strategies to breach the capital’s security. As the conflict continues to evolve, both sides are adapting their tactics, with drone warfare becoming an increasingly prominent aspect of the ongoing hostilities.
Key points
- Russia launched a large-scale attack on Ukraine using missiles and 39 ‘Shahed’ drones.
- Ukrainian air defense forces intercepted 35 out of 39 drones and prevented guided missiles from reaching their targets.
- This marks the fifth drone attack on Kyiv in two weeks, suggesting Russia is testing Ukraine’s air defenses.
- Russia reported shooting down eight Ukrainian drones over Belgorod region and the Black Sea.
Contradictions👾While most sources report 39 ‘Shahed’ drones launched by Russia, one source mentions five ballistic missiles and 39 ‘Shahed’ drones.
